THE ROLE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICERS’ ATTRIBUTES IN ENHANCING PERFORMANCE OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: A BIBLIOMETRIC REVIEW

Abstract

The role of quality assurance (QA) officers has become increasingly critical in driving the performance and sustainability of higher educational institutions (HEIs) in a rapidly evolving global academic landscape. The scholarly exploration of QA officers’ attributes and their direct impact on institutional performance remains fragmented and under-researched in the literature. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric review to map and analyze the literature on quality assurance in HEIs. Using the Scopus database as the primary source, the search strategy applied two specific keywords: "quality assurance" and "higher education institution," resulting in 220 relevant documents published between 2020 and 2025. The methodological framework involved three key tools: Scopus Analyzer for data retrieval and fundamental trend analysis, OpenRefine for data cleaning and refinement, and VOSviewer for visualizing bibliometric networks such as co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence. This study revealed key publication trends, prominent authors, influential journals, active countries, and thematic research clusters. The numerical results indicate a steady increase in research output on this topic over the past four years, with a significant concentration of studies originating in developed regions. Co-occurrence analysis highlighted recurring themes such as accreditation, institutional performance, policy development, and continuous improvement. This review underscores the growing academic interest in the attributes and competencies of QA officers and their linkages to organizational effectiveness in HEIs. The findings provide valuable insights for future research directions and practical implications for policymakers and institutional leaders aiming to enhance quality management systems in higher education settings.